Badger Football Preview : Wisconsin vs. Ohio State
Indianapolis, I.N. ~ On Saturday, the Wisconsin Badgers will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big 10 Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Wisconsin have responded to every one of their question this season, and has finished undefeated, with nine Big 10 wins. The BAdgers won the Big 10 West easily. Meanwhile, the Ohio State Buckeyes season has not gone as steady as they have wanted it to. The Buckeyes lost their first game of the season at home to Oklahoma 31-16 in the second game of the season. When Ohio State finally found their groove, they were beaten badly, to a 5-3 Iowa team, 55-24. They won some big Big 10 games including victories at home against Penn State and at Michigan last week. Those two wins were enough for them to win the Big 10 East.
If Wisconsin, ranked 4th, beats the Buckeyes, they will undoubtedly get into the College Football Playoff. On the other hand, if Ohio State wins, they have a chance to get an invitation for the third time in four years, thanks to losses to undefeated Alabama, and Miami.
The Wisconsin defense has played extremely well this season.
Wisconsin has done what they do every year, play tough,hard-nosed, and gritty Big 10 football. Backed behind a nasty top-ranked, defense, freshman running back Jonathan Taylor (who has picked up 7 yards per carry) leads the Badgers offense, along with quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who has thrown 18 TD passes this season.
Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly are the teams most productive two players. The duo has combined for 138 tackles and 21 tackles for loss. Edwards also has four interceptions.
The Badgers are coming off a big 31-0 win over their rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett says he’ll play against Wisconsin after a sideline injury.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are also coming off a big game; a 31-20 win over their arch-rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. After trailing by 14 in the 1st quarter, senior leader QB J.T. Barrett ran for a touchdowns and also threw for one, tying the game and 14 going into halftime. In the second half, the Bucks had to rely on Dwayne Haskins to be their quarterback, as Barrett was injured on the sideline in an altercation with an individual. He led Ohio State back after they were found themselves trailing Michigan by six. Ohio State scored 17 unanswered points and beat their arch rival.
Predictions
Wisconsin has not played the tough teams that Ohio State have played, but to go 12-0 in the Big 10 is a big accomplishment.
The Badgers toughest game might’ve been Michigan. After trailing 10-7, Wisconsin put on the afterburners and blew the game away, and won 24-10.
Ohio State also defeated Michigan on the road, and beat Penn State and Michigan State too. They may have gotten blown out at Iowa, but they regained thei focus and won their last three games.
Wisconsin will come to Indianapolis with a healthy quarterback, an outstanding running back, and an absolutely ferocious defense. those three factors are what will lead Wisconsin to a close victory over the Buckeyes.
Wisconsin 20
Ohio State 13
By Jacob Szczap
